Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Their overnight success took more than 13 years to happen, but the Barenaked Ladies have arrived. A band that gets a kick out of writing lyrics such as, “I just made you say underwear,” the Ladies will perform Aug. 24 at the Tweeter Center in Tinley Park. Vocalist Steven Page (middle) called from the road to sound off on rental cars, “Planet of the Apes” and why Debbie Gibson rules.
Standing about 5-feet tall and measuring 5-feet wide, the triangular giant baffled a team of curious researchers (OK, a photographer and me). We had seen these creatures before on grassy knolls, peaked mountains and even backyards. But we had never before seen them in such an incongruous location–the lakefront.
When he acts, Usher Raymond IV goes by his full name. But when he sings, no last name is necessary for the 22-year-old hottie. It’s been three years since Usher released a new album, but that all changes when his sultry “8701” hits stores Tuesday. Read on for his thoughts on boy bands, acting and those rumors about his dating TLC’s Chilli.
Think Madonna’s got arms to die for? Well don’t die, sweetie. Exercise! The diva credits her awesome biceps to yoga. She loves it so much that she even wrote a song (“Shanti/Ashtangi”) based around a chant she used while doing yoga.But some of us would rather pull our teeth out than strike a yoga pose.
Ho-Sung Pak went from portraying a Ninja Turtle to choreographing the kung fu segments for Madonna’s current tour. As co-owner of martial arts gym Pow! in the West Loop, Pak splits his time between L.A. and Chicago.
When Lilia Chacon and her good buddy Katie Carrillo ran into that rarity known as a photobooth, they knew what had to be done. ”We put our $3 into the machine, went in and mugged it up,” says Chacon, a reporter for Fox News Chicago. ”This was about 10 years ago when we were both single. It’s a carefree, fun reminder of who we were at that stage of our lives. We split the photo strip in half so we each have two shots.”
You haven’t had a date since Dubya’s dad was in the White House. The last time you went dancing, stonewashed jeans were in style. And your idea of a great evening is whining to anyone who’ll listen about the dearth of available men in Chicago. Wake up! It’s time to get back in the game. No matter how much women complain to the contrary, this city is full of eligible men.
The nose knows when it’s summer. For some, it’s the tangy smell of barbeque that clues them in. For others, it’s that telltale scent of chlorine in the swimming pool. Fact is, people smell better in the summer than in the winter. We’re not talking body odor here, but rather the olfactory senses.
“If I wasn’t performing I’d be on a farm somewhere,” says Joey McIntyre. “I don’t know how to do any of that stuff, but I could learn. Or hire someone. I’d sit back and have some lemonade on the porch.
Nothing signifies the arrival of summer like a big, refreshing bowl of ice cream. Whether it’s the tinkling of the Good Humor truck or simply the sight of scoops being doled out at Ben & Jerry’s, ice cream brings us to a place that makes us feel young and carefree.